On Aug. 1, FLA LEG declared emergency re tropical weather condition.
FLA LEG issued Executive Order (EO) 24-156 (emergency management - Invest 97L) due to weather that has potential to cause a major disaster to the state, see #221779.
The conditions have the potential to damage critical infrastructure to include major interstates and roadways, bridges, airports, schools, hospitals, power grids, etc.
Also, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa.
Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Santa Rosa, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, Walton, and Washington.
Provided Division of Emergency Management, Adjutant General, FLA National Guard, and FLA State Guard with certain powers as needed for recovery/response efforts.
Political subdivisions allowed to waive procedures related to public work, contracts, employment of workers, acquisition of supplies, use/appropriation of public funds.
Department of Transportation (DOT) allowed to waive certain fees, and requirements.
Directed the closure of schools which may be used as public shelters for evacuees.
Also gave directions to medical personnel, warned renters/sellers of price gouging.
Effectiveness
EO 24-156 is effective immediately, expires 60 days from this date unless extended.
Aug. 2, 2024 FLA LEG Amended Emergency Order
On Aug. 2, 2024, FLA LEG issued EO 24-157 to amend EO 24-156 to add Brevard, Desoto, Glades, Hardy, Hendry, Highlands, and Okeechobee counties to declaration.
EO 24-157 will expire upon the expiration of EO-156, i.e. Sep. 30, 2024.
On the same day, FLA LEG reported on updates to state preparations for the severe weather, Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) communication efforts.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has water vehicles and other storm response resources to respond to residents in the event of damage or flooding.
Florida DOT, insurance and health agencies, environmental, educational, agriculture and forestry agencies have also been directed to be available for response/recovery.
Aug. 3, 2024 FLA LEG Additional Updates
On Aug. 3, 2024, FLA LEG reported additional updates to emergency declaration re Tropical Depression Four, which was estimated to become tropical storm on same day.
Issued hurricane watches, tropical storm watches, tropical storm warnings, storm surge warnings, storm surge watches and a coastal flood watch for select counties.
Additionally, FDEM, Florida State Guard, FWC, various corrections departments, health, infrastructure agencies provided updates on recovery/response efforts and waivers.
Aug. 4, 2024 FLA LEG Tropical Storm Debby
On Aug. 4, 2024, FLA LEG issued updates on state preparations, response for Tropical Storm Debby, added hurricane warnings and river flood warnings to the declaration.
Updates added updates regarding status of seaports, airports, rail, spaceport, transit.
Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) directed insurers to prepare to implement disaster claims procedures and provide prompt, efficient claims handling to policy holders.
Aug. 5, 2024 FLA LEG Hurricane Debby
On Aug. 5, 2024, FLA LEG reported that Hurricane Debby had made landfall in FLA.
Provided updates from FDEM, Florida State Guard, FWC, corrections departments, health, infrastructure, including air, sea, road transportation, environmental services.
FLA INS Commissioner Yaworsky called property and casualty insurance companies with consumers in the projected path of Hurricane Debby gave them directions.
Directed them to be prepared to implement their disaster claims-handling procedures.
Also be able to provide prompt and efficient claims-handling service to policyholders.
Regulators
FLA LEG
Entity Types
CNSM; Corp; Ins
Reference
PR, 8/5/2024; PR, 8/4/2024; PR, 8/3/2024; PR, EO 24-157, 8/2/2024; EO 24-156, 8/1/2024;
